Average Rating: 6.3/10
Reviews Counted: 31
Fresh: 23 | Rotten: 8
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1
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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 44,482
Purple Rain, the first starring film for Prince, is the story of an arrogant, young black singer, born and raised in Minneapolis, who reaches the pinnacle of stardom. The dramatic complications include "The Kid's" (Prince) miserable home life, where he suffers the brutalities of his father (well played by Clarence Williams III) and the youth's efforts to win the love of the beautiful Apollonia. Despite the misogynistic undercurrents in Purple Rain, the film's biggest fans were young women.
Jan 1, 1984 Wide
Aug 24, 2004
Warner Home Video
All Critics (35) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (8) | DVD (20)
It's probably best to think of the film as an extended music video, a watershed moment for movie sound tracks, and not much more.
worth a rental for the curious and is a keeper for his fans
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called Purple Rain--the Citizen Kane of Minnesota movies and a worldwide showcase for the ascendance of its then-26-year-old star into rock 'n' roll eternity.
It helps to remember that Purple Rain is a much better music video than it is a personal drama. (HD-DVD Edition)
...there is so much good music involved...it easily distracts one's mind from the clunky histrionics.
The musical performances are memorable, everything else is forgettable
Bland Prince vehicle that takes itself far too seriously.
intriguingly well-told story
Those who are looking for a two-hour music video with a coherent story will not be disappointed.
The performers have a bit of a wink behind their performances, and so the artificiality meshes together neatly.
Purple Rain shares a trump card--its set list--with casual Prince fans, who are advised to reach for the soundtrack album instead.
Obviously the music and watching Prince perform it is the only good thing about the film.Update: Prince's live performances are legendary, "Computer Blue" is sick
March 6, 2008Super Reviewer
Classic stuff.
May 15, 2007
Super Reviewer
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